Intel Refutes Reports Of Otellini Slamming Windows 8

Intel is denying reports of CEO Paul Otellini telling employees in Taiwan that Microsoft's upcoming and highly anticipated Windows 8 operating system won't be fully ready when released on Oct. 26.

The report, first published by Bloomberg earlier this week, cited an anonymous Intel employee who attended the private meeting in Taipei, Taiwain, and claimed Otellini had pointed to several improvements that needed to be made to Windows 8 prior to its release. The employee had asked not to be identified.

Intel issued a statement in response to Bloomberg's story, claiming the report was "unsubstantiated."

"Today Intel Corporation issued a statement in response to unsubstantiated news reports about comments made by Intel CEO Paul Otellini in a meeting with employees," the statement said. "Intel has a long and successful heritage working with Microsoft on the release of Windows platforms, delivering devices that provide exciting experiences, stunning performance, and superior compatibility. Intel fully expects this to continue with Windows 8."

Intel said it has been working side-by-side with Microsoft to fully test and validate the new software, ensuring a "high-quality experience" across the nearly 200 Windows 8-based and Intel-powered devices that will start launching next month.

"Intel CEO Paul Otellini is on record as saying, 'Windows 8 is one of the best things that ever happened to Intel,' citing the importance of the touch interface coming to mainstream computing and the huge wave of exciting new Ultrabook, tablet and convertible device innovations coming to the market," Intel said in the statement.

The stakes are high for both Intel and Microsoft when it comes to the success of Windows 8. Both companies have been vying for a share of the lucrative tablet market, a space currently dominated by Apple and Google, and are banking heavily on Windows 8 to achieve this feat.

Intel also faces an uphill battle against U.K.-based chip licensor ARM, whose low-power processors are used to fuel the majority of today's tablets and smartphones. Intel told CRN this week that its new Clover Trail Atom processors, coupled with Windows 8, will give ARM a run for its money, given that Intel- and Windows-based devices will more easily integrate into consumers' existing Windows environments.

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